The CEO, Steve Fields is around 80 years old and it is reflected in the work flow and values of the organization. While it is admirable to decrease hierarchies and prioritize the experiences of people rather than degrees, this organization has unqualified people everywhere, including leadership positions. Documentation is a mess and there's no centralized/ universal structure. Training is a one time thing- onboarding. And even then, they are sorely under preparing employees (particularly residential counselors) for the realities of this work. It feels dishonest to say the org provides mental health care in the residential treatment, when there isn't a single licensed or even associate level social worker or therapist in the entire program. They are mostly made up of college age young adults. Although many of the clients serviced are actively using or coming off substances, there aren't often nursing or other medical staff in the residential treatment centers either. It's really clear that the higher admin doesn't value higher education and isn't keeping up with the times- PF was founded in the 60's and SF has changed A LOT since then, yet it feels like it's still running the same as it always has. As a counselor working toward my hours for licensure, the opportunities for direct work at the crisis clinic are slim- they are straightforward about that upon hiring but most of my time is spent on the phones. The only direct time we really get are the intakes and talking to a client if they need some extra support. No opportunities to run groups or true 1:1 therapy. They also do not provide any budget for CEs, testing, or any ongoing development opportunities. Lastly, it's just an overall very disorganized organization.
